L 4 ] 
to tread cautiously, to reflect anxiously, and lights be- 
come important in the midst of darkness that would be 
Unseen or unnoticed in the blaze of day. 
Having been much occupied in chemical pursuits, and 
much conversant with manufactures and manufacturers, I 
feel myself as well qualified as most men, to select such in- 
formation as in some way or other will be worth attention, 
but which also will require, as I hope it will generally re- 
pay, attention. Making this a stock-book for papers of va- 
lue on the manufactures and the arts, I must be greatly in- 
debted to other publications, and frequently to publications 
well known : frequently too, I shall have to republish in 
pursuit of my plan, what may have been already publish- 
ed by myself or others. If I make this work, as I mean 
to do, the repository for this kind of information, I must 
do so. No man can pretend to be original throughout a 
work on this extensive plan ; it will be well conducted if 
he select judiciously. 
Whether it be worth while to encourage manufactures 
in this country, or to turn aside a part of the capital from 
the immediate employment of agriculture is a question 
of great moment. All bounties and protecting duties, 
are taxes upon the rest of the community, in support of 
that employment of capital, which, without them, would 
be injudicious and unproductive. While so much land 
remains uncultivated, there can be no want of opportuni- 
ties of employing capital in America. Generally speak- 
ing also, the interference of government is sadly mis- 
placed., when it attempts to direct the capitalist what he 
shall do with his money. Laissez nous faire , is the pro- 
per reply. Still, there are considerations of great weight 
with me, in opposition to this general reasoning, that I 
have never seen urged. 
1st. Our population is becoming scattered over such 
an extent of territory, that the nation is really weakened 
